Gear shaping machine



Mal'h 2.4, 1936 J. s. LoEwus 2,035,434

GEAR SHAPINGMAGHINE Filed Jan. 12, i935 s sheets-sheet 1 92 INVENTOR.

ff ai@ March 24, 19367 J. s. LcEwus 2,035,434

GEAR SHAPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12, 1953 5 sheets-sheet 2 March 24, 1936. J. s. LoEwus GEAR SHAPING MACHINE lFiled Jan, 12, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 24, 1936. J. s. LOEWUS 2,035,434 GEAR SHAPING MACHINE A Filed Jan. l2, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l GEAR sHAPIN MACHINE March 24, 1936.,

Filed Jan. 12, 1935Y s-.sneets-Shepp 5 Patented 'Man 24, 1936 UNITED STATES 'PATENT rFFICE Gaan snAPnvG MAcmnE .Julian s. Baltimore, Md. Application January 12, 1933, semina. 651,394

3 3 claims. (ci. :ao-3) This invention relates to the cutting-or shaping of curved and 'plane surfaces on teeth as for cxample'on gear blanks or on the toothed members of aflexible shaft coupling automotive gear and the like.

v An object of this invention is the provision of a machine which is automatically operable to' simultaneouslycut a circumferential rowof external or internal teeth formed on a suitable blank so as `to shape or form each tooth of said row`with curved convex surfaces either on Vthe crown, side facesor the walls between the roots of adjacent teeth, or on all such surfaces orcombinatin of surfaces at the same time.

Another object of this invention is to shape portions of the teeth with tapered ends, so that in mechanisms wherein one gear is shifted into mesh tion. taken on line 3-3 of Fig.

- Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View taken on linev` 3 Fig. 8 is a-detail 8 3, of Fig. 7.

with another gear no fouling'or undue noise results.

Further objects and advantages of the inven tion will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof.

ile the invention is capable of numerous modications, a preferred embodiment thereof is yillustrated Fin the accompanying' drawings,y in which,'

Fig. 1 is an elevational sectionalyiew ofthe ma.

chine taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l* is an elevational view partly in section showing the connecting rod of Fig. 1 in a col,- lapsed position. i

Fig. 2 is a plan view of thefmachine.

Fig. 3 is a detail elevational view partly in sec- 4-4of`FigQ2. un. Fig. 5 is a modified formv of cam operating mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view with parts broken ,away of the lower part of the machine, parts in.

section being taken on line G-G, Fig. '1.

Fig. 7 is a trans part of the machine on line 1 1, Fig. 6.

sectional view taken `on line i9 shows amodied form of sector worm wheel that may be` employed.

Fig. 10 is a plan view partly in section of the control arm shown in Fig- 7.-

Fig. 11 is a plan viewand Fig.4 12 a sectional view on line 'I2-I2, Fig.` l1, of/the cutter and blank in operative engagementf-the axis of both coinciding. ,v A .5 Figs. 1 to 17, inclusive, show in section and elevation various verse sectional view ofthe lower the cylindrical portion land sleeve 25. Positioned `r positions of `the blank relative to thevertical position of the cutter, shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 18 is a modied form of gear drive employed in 1.

Figs. 19 to 22inclusive illustrate several-forms 5 of gear teeth generated `by the gear shaping machine.

Referring to the drawings, I designates the stationary machine base or frame which comprises shelf 8, said `U-support being securely fastened to 20 the side walls 2 by bolts I0, best shown in Fig. 2. Formed on each of the arms I I `of the YU -support I are bearing housings I2 of conventional design adapted to 1 have rotatably mounted therein a crank shaft ley I4, the crank I5' of the crank shaft I3 being positioned between the'arms I I of the U-support 1. A belt I6 delivers power tothe pulley I4 from a motor or any vother source of power (not shown) Secured to the crank I5 is necting rod I8, the lower end of which is pivotallyI `connected as at I9 to a yoke 20 :which is provided with a flange 2| and stud 22, the function of which is to be hereinafter described.

Mounted for rotative movement within the cy- 35 lindrlcal portion 4 is a sleeve 25 provided with a radically extending flange 26 having teeth 2l formed thereon, the weight of said sleeve being carriedby the anti-friction bearings 28 positioned between the flange 6 of the cylindrical portion 4 40' and the flange 26 of the sleeve 25. If de'sired a liner of bearing metal 29 may be placed" between within the sleeve is a hollow cylindrical cutter stud 22 is formed-with a bar 3| formed in the interior thereof adjacent its 45 l partition 32. .A washer plate 34 is securely clamped against theshoulder of thestud 22 by the nut 35. It is-thus apparent that the'yoke 20 carries the cutter bar 3| which is free to rotate on the I3, one'end of which carries the pul- 25 a depending conv stud 22 in the manner to be hereinafter described.

Mounted rigidly in the key wayv 38 provided in the cutter bar 3l is a guide key 3l which is adapted to havereciprocating movement in a suitable guide groove 38 formed in the sleeve 25. The cutter bar 3i while having a reciprocating movement by virtue of its connection to the connecting rod I8 is locked to the sleeve 25 by the guide key 31 so as to have rotative movement therewith, thercutter bar 3i being freely rotatable on the stud 22.

As shown in Fig. 1, thecutter bar 3l is in its uppermost position, the crank I5 being shown on its upper dead center position. In view of the fact that it is necessary .to raise the cutter bar 3| still higher for the reason to be hereinafter ex. plained, the connecting rod I8 is formed so that the upward movement of said cutter bar. This is accompli'shed by forming the connecting rod I8 into two sections 48 and 4I pivoted together at one side of their longitudinal axis by the pivot 42. The section 40 is bifurcated to receive therebetween the section 4 I at the point where the pivot 2 joins the same in the manner well known. Tension coil springs 43 at each side of the connecting rod I8 secured at their ends to the pins 44-45, function to hold the sections 40-4! in alignment in the manner shown in Fig. 1. connecting rod I8 at its pivot 42 a bar 46 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, is inserted in the bifurcated section 48, an upward movement of the same about the pin .44 as a fulcrum will force the pivot pin 42 t0 the left (See Fig. \1) witha bringing together of the sections 48 4I and a consequent upward movement of the cutter bar 3 i Seated on the shelf 8 of the U-support 'l is a bearing bracket 48 formed with spaced bearing housings 48 slidably mounted on the horizontal bolts 58 which are rigid with the back of ,the U-supportl, see Fig. 2. Springs 5I on the bolts SII are positioned between the bearing housings` 48 and nuts 52 on the ends of said boltathe bearing bracket 48 thus being capable of slight movement on said bolts. Positioned between the bearing housings 49 is a worm 53 on the drive shaft 54 the ends of which are rotatably mounted in' said bearing housings. Meshing with the worm 53 is a worm wheel 55 fixed on the yend of the vertical driven shaft 56 which extends through a slotted openingil in the shelf '8 and a similar slotted opening 58 in the back wall 3 of the frame I. Fast to the shaft 5B and directly beneath the shelf 8 is a pinion 59 meshing with the teeth il on the ange 28 of the sleeve 25. Q

Rotary movement of the worm 53 is accomplished through a cam and ratchet mechanism now to be described.

Mounted rotatably on the end of the 'I2 inwardly of the arm- Ii is a guide 88, on which is fitted for sliding engagement the parallel armati (see Fig. 3) of a slide member 82, on

jfollower 63' is adapted to roll. In the .relative position ofthe parts shown in Fig. 3, the follower' end. of the. drive shaft 54 beneath .the slide 82 is a 88;' A pawi- 89 pivoted-on same may be folded thus permitting further `vertical driven To fold or bend the the inner face of which is rotatably. mounted sa cam fol-. lower 83. A cam 64 rigid with the shaft Il isprovided-with'an edge surface upon whichlt'hef is secured to me suse s2 s 'at ss tnefother ndtothe ri'gli'rm il asm; s1. securedto-the, .miiybetween the pin4 'lliA carried on the end of the slide 82 engages the teeth of the ratchet to rotate the same in a counterclockwise direction. A link 1I pivoted at one end to the pin 1li is freely mounted on the shaft 54 and serves to hold the slide 62 in its proper relation to the shaft 54. The pawl 8S is always retained in,positive engagement with the ratchet by virtue of the spring 12. In addition to the pawl 68, a spring pressed pawl 13 is provided to hold the ratchet 68. in position.

A modified form of cam and ratchet actuating means is shown in Fig. 5. The cam 66 is rigidly mounted on the shaft I3 said cam being provided .with a groovedl cam surface t4". Pivoted on a angle e. This rotative movement is transmittedV by the shaft 5t and worm drive 53, 55 to the shaft 58, the-exact function of which is to be hereinafter described.

Placed directly beneathr the cutter bar 3i is a rocking cradle 88 of substantially tub like form.

This cradle is provided with diametrically aligned trunnions 8| which are rotatably mounted in suitable pillow block bearings 82 provided on the side walls 2 of the machine frame I, as most clearly shown in Fig. 6. The bottom 88 of the cradle is provided with a central downwardly extendingu cylindrical 4sleeve extension v84. A blank or work holderv of the same substantial form as the cradle 88 is placed within said cradle and centered therein by an extension '8 8 on the blank holder 88 fitted within the cylindrical sleeve extension 84. (Anti-friction bearings 8l are provided between the bottoms of the cradle 8l and blank holder 85 to facilitate easy turning of the blank holder relative to the cradle. Secured to the outer edge of the blank holder 85 is an external ring gear 88 the teeth of which have convex-Lv curved crowns 89, the walls 88 .between the roots of said teeth being similarly convexly curved, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. To lock the blank holder 85 to the cradle 88, there is provided a plaie 8| which is secured by bolts 82 to' the exposed end of the extension 88, said plate abutting the edge of the sleeve extension 84 in the manner readily apparent.

l Seated centrally on holder 85. and secured thereto in any desired' manner (not shown) is a platen 85 provided with radially movable centering screws 88.- Shown mounted on the plan 86 by way of examplefis a hub blank 8l provided with a 'row of teeth 88, of the type commonly employed in exible shaft couplings. The blank is centered onthe platen 88 bythe screws 88 and is furthermore rigidly clamped in place by thevertical center bolt 88, the threaded portion of which is threadediy-,engaged in the extension 86 of the blank holder 88, in the upper-end is a hole `threaded ,to receive the stud 98e, as is readilyspparent from an inspection of Fig. i.

Ihe lower end of the vertical shaft i6 passes through a bearing housing IM positioned horizonspaced guide luga ilintegralwith' the back wall 8 of the machine frame, and slidably mounted on the supporting bolts Ici. Coil springs me bottom of the blank.

los are positioned on the .bolts mz betweenithe Abearing housing |00 and the back wall 3 and shaft 56, that rotation of said shaft will result l in a simultaneous rotation in the same direction of the sleeve 25 and blank holder 85. the purpose i of thisl simultaneous movement to be described hereinafter. l

To increase the elciency of the drive between the pinion |04 and the ring gear 88 it may be desirable to form the crowns and the walls between the roots ofv the teeth on the pinion |04 with concave surfaces |04a and |04b which surfaces are to have the same radius of curvature about the same center as the convexcurved surfaces 89.and 90 on the teeth of the ring gear 88, as shown in Fig. 18. With such a construction there will be line contact between the meshing teeth instead of Apoint contact.

In the shaping of the teeth 98 on the hub blank 91 it is necessary that the same assume an angular position relative to the stroke of the cutter bar 3|. 'I'he mechanism for effecting this angular movement will now be described.

Formed on one of the side walls '2, see Fig. 7-8, and to the rear of the pillow blocks 82 are vertically spaced brackets |06 in which through the medium of suitable bearings is rotatably mounted a worm shaft |01 provided with a worm |08. Bolted to the side of the cradle is a worm wheel sector |09 adapted to mesh with the worm |08. Pivotally attached tothe lower end lof the worm shaft 01 is a bifurcated control arm |08, which canies at its inner end the cam follower |0911;

that portion of the bifurcated control arm |08 carrying the follower |09h projects throughs.

suitable opening I I0 in the cradle 80, the follower |09b being adapted to ride on a suitable circular runway ||l prepared on the cylindrical surface of the blank holder 85. `Positioned on the runway Iii is a projecting cam ||2 which is so delsigned as to impart through the follower |09 and control arm |08 upon the completion of one'vrevelution of the blank holder 80, a definite ro'jtary movement to the worm shaft |01. To transmit the swinging movement of the control arm. |08 to the Wormshaft |01 there is provided afatchet H3 placed between the spaced sections of the bifurcated control arm |08 and rigidly secured to the shaft |01. The outer portion of the ntrol arm |08 extends through a suitable ope ing H4 in the sidel wall 2 and is formed with a longitudinal bore l I5. Placed Within the bore l l5 is a pawl ||6 and coil spring ||1. The pawl ||6 being, i -on the end of a plungerA rod ||8 extending through the bore and terminating in a'. handle H9. A toothed clutch joint |20 is provided be'- tween the plunger rod 8 and the outer end.v

of the control arm |08. -When in the locked position ofy the clutch |20 shown in Fig. 10, the pawl ||5 'is in operative engagement with the vteeth of the ratchet for rotation ofthe same and the shaft, |01. upon a swinging movement of the control arm |08 inthe proper direction, the pawl M6 being maintained in such operative position by the action of the spring II'I. To reverse incide with the axis of the cutter bar 3|.

sure the maintenance of this position there isthe position of the pawl H8 relative to the ratchet H3 in order to impart a reverse movement to the ratchet, all that is necessary is' to pull the plunger rod H8 outwardly androtate the same through half a turn. In caseit is necessary to maintain the pawl ||8 out of engagement'with the ratchet ||3 such may be eiected by merely pulling the plunger rod ||8 outwardly and giving the same a quarter turn. The ratchet I I3 is provided for a portion of its periphery with a plain circular portion 12|, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. In order that-the control arm '|08 be' kept in engagement with the runway i l I on the blank holder 85, there is provided a torsion spring |25 on the bottom of the worm shaft |01, one end of which engages a section ofthe arm. |08 and the other end the side wall 'i` as most clearly shown in Fig. 8.

Mounted on the upper end of the worm shaft |01 is a vernier |26 calibrated to show the angular position of thecradle 80 resulting from the rotation of the worm |08l and worm wheel sector |09. This Vernier is rendered visible by an opening |21 formed in thel side wall 2, part of which is shown in Fig. 6. 4

A modified form of worm wheel sector |09I is vshown in Fig. 9 wherein the same is shown rigidly mounted on the trunnion 8| ofthe cradle 80. and

also bolted to said cradle wall by the bolts |28.

Prior to the positioning of the blank 91 on the platen 95 itis necessary for the cradle 80 to be in a horizontal position, the axis of the same to co- To inprovided a lock bolt |30 on the base of the machine frame'l adapted to be positioned in the opening |3| in the cradle 80. When everything is set for the machine to operate the lock bolt |38 is withdrawn thus permitting the necessary angular movement of the cradle 80.

Formed in the bottom edges of the blank holder v and cradle 80 are ports |32 and |33 which function to permit the escape of oil or cutting iiuidinto asuitable drip pan or container not shown.

The cutter bar 3| is, provided at its lower end with a cutter member |35 which is secured to said cutter .bar by means o1' the ring plate |38 and bolts |31.

The machine as above described operates in the following mannen.

The cutter bar 3| is raised to its maximum uppermost position by the folding of the connecting rod I8 as above set forth. This will permit the placing of the hub blank 91 on the platen 95 to which it is secured in the manner shown in Fig. 1, it being understood that the cradle 80 is inA its initial horizontal position. As above described the hub blank 91 is provided with a row of external preformed teeth 98 of any suitable form. The cutter |35 is in eil'ect an annular gear provided with internal teeth |38, see Figs. 11 and .12 which when the axis of the blank 91 'and cutter |35 are in alignment will more or less snugly mesh with the blank teeth 98, the cutter bar 3| being then in its .lowermost position. This relationship of cutter and blank is shown in Fig. 12.

lultimately be formed with convexly curved crowns and side faces. the walls between the roots of the teeth to be similarly curved. Furu thermore, any combination, portion or portions on these surfaces may be similarly cut with a cutting element extending around the entire periphery of the blank or only a portion thereof. The cutting edges of the cutter |35 are thus formed on the bottom profile edge of the teeth around the entire peripheral circuit thereof as at |80, shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Or the cutter may be of the stepped type for abrading or cutting the teeth to shape so that solid blanks may be used. In Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 are shown,

various preferred structural lforms of teeth that may be shaped from a solid blank. In Fig. 19, the teeth are shown formed with cm'ved side wall surfaces, the tops or crests and roots of the teeth being also curved. In Fig. 20, the teeth are formed with similarly curved side wall surfaces, but in this case the crests and roots are formed as substantially at or straight surfaces. In,Fig. 21, the teeth are of conventional design, that is, formed with straight walls, crests and roots, but with the walls at one end of the teeth converging to form tapered ends on said teeth. In Fig. 22, the teeth are shown formed with straight side walls, and with the tops or crests and roots curved. Itis to be understood Vthat the above forms of the teeth are merely examples of the types of teeth and curved surfaces that can be formed by the machine, as other forms of surfaces may be shaped by the machine embodying various combinations of curved and straight surfaces.

With the axis of the cutter and blank 91 in alignment the down stroke ofthe cutter on' the blank will briiig the cutter teeth |38 and blank.

teeth 88 into engagement with each other as shown in Fig. 12. In most cases this down stroke will be the initial cutting stroke removing any irregularities that may possibly appear on the bearing surfaces of the blank teeth 98. Attention at this point is called to the fact that each cutter tooth bears a definite relationship to each of the adjacent blank teeth which relationship must be maintained at all times in all subsequent cutting strokes'. i

After the above initial meshing and possible initial cut of the cutter and blank the cutter bar 3| is moved upwardly the cutter |35 being brought out of engagement with the blank 91. The cradle 80 is then placed at an angular position of predetermined amount, as indicated by the angle ,s the plane of the blank teeth 98 assuming a similar angular position, see Fig. Nl14. This angular 55 movement is initially accomplished by a suitable angular swinging movement 'of the control arm |08 the extent of this angular movement being indicated by the Vernier |26. Actuation of the control arm |08 willv partially rotate the worm shaft |0'| which will operate the worm drive |08n and |08 to impart the necessary angular movement to the cradle 80. For this angular position of thecradle as well as thel hub blank 81, it is obvious that the down or cutting stroke of the cutter |35 will remove those portions of the surface of the teeth 98 which are brought into the cutting path of the cutter teeth |38, indicated in Figs. 14 and 15 by the dotted lines and |4|. From an inspection of Figs. 14 and 15 it will be noted-that the teeth 98 on the blank will each be diierently out, that is the teeth 98 in Fig. 14 s'ho'wnv180 apart are cut on the crowns and on the roots between the walls of the teeth,.whi1e the teethat right angles thereto and also 180 apart, are cut on their side faces as shown by the dotted lines |4| on the teeth 98B, Fig. 15, which is an elevational view of the teeth S8 on the blank 91, the intervening teeth being similarly cut on varied portions of their surfaces.

To have each tooth 8B on the blank similarly cut for the given angular position of the same it is necessary that each tooth be brought into the same angular position relative to the cutter |35, it being apparent that each tooth bears a different angular relationship to said cutter. This is accomplished by the action of the cam 54 on the slide 52 which through the pawl 88 and ratchet 88 will operate the worm drive 53-55 to turn the shaft 56. 'Ihe pinions 59 and |04 which are of the same size will simultaneously rotate the sleeve 25 which carries the cutter bar 3|, and the blank holder 85, the teeth 21 of the sleeve and the teeth of the ring gear 38 on the blank holder 85 being also of the same size though varying in form as shown. The amount of rotation of the sleeve and blank holder is such as to move the blank 81 and cutter |35 a tooth at a time or a small angular movement, which movement occurs prior to each cutting stroke of the cutter |35. Figs. 16 and 1'7 show the position of the blank teeth when the blank 91 is turned through 180 from the position shown in Figs.

14 and 15.

Upon the completion of an entire revolution of the blank 91 it is necessary to increase the angle of inclination of the cradle 80 with a consequent increase in the angular relationship o f the blank 91 to 'the cutter |35. 'I'his is automatically accomplished Aby the action of the cam projection ||2 on the control ann |08, see Figs. 6 and '7. The position of the cam ||2 shown therein is at the' beginning of a revolution. Upon the completion `of a revolution of the blank holder 85, the cam ||2 will move the control arm to the right which movement through the ratchet mechanism ||3 and worm drive IBM-|08 will impart the necessary increase in the inclination of the cradle 80 carrying the blankholder 85. This inclination is increased until the plain portion IZl of the ratchet ||3 is brought into the path of the pawll which thus renders the pawl and ratchet inoperative and as a'result prevents further rotation of the worm |88a on the worm sectorv |09. It is of course obvious that this automatic movement may be optionally displaced by a manual operation of the control arm |08.

Upon the conclusion of the above set forth operations there will be formed convexly curved surfaces' on the crowns, side faces and on the walls between the roots of the teeth of the hub blank, each tooth being similar in all respects 'to its adjacent tooth.

It is Ato be understood that the form of hub blank teeth and cutter shown are merely examples of the type of forming or shaping operations capable of being performed by the above described machine. That while the cutter is provided with cutting edges on all the teeth thereon the cutter nevertheless may be provided with any desired number of cutting teeth which may be variously positioned in any denitely designed arrangement. Furthermore the cutting edges on the teeth of the cutter may only be formed on certain of the edges of the teeth whereby only the corresponding surfaces of the teeth of the blank will be shaped or cut/to theselected form.

In any case, the above referred to cuts while producing a plane or fiat surface are so small, in most cases being only a few thousandths of an inch, that the succession of these cuts for inthe cutter and the blank, changing the angularcreasing angles oi' inclination ofthe blank will produce a finished surface that to all intents and purposes will be curved. It has also been discovered thatlfor most cases the blank has to be inclined in increments of a fraction of a degree for each succeeding series of cuts, as above set forth. However, if rotary cutters are used even these small flat surfaces blend into a perfect curve. i

It is to be further understood that this invention is not limited to any speciilc construction, arrangement or form of the parts, or to the particular combinations illustrated, as numerous niodiflcations and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the claims.

I claim:-

1. The method of generating toothed elements having surfaces curved in two or more places on a blank which includes presenting said blank to a cutting element in successively varying axial positions.'

2. 'Ihe method of generating teethon a blank wherein each tooth is curved in the` direction of its length on at least two surfacesthereof which includes successively presenting said teeth to a cutting element in successively varying axial positions.

3. 'I'he method of generating teeth on a blank wherein each tooth is curved on a portion of its length on at least two of its surfaces whichv includes presenting the blank in varying positions to a cutting element.

4. The method f generating teeth on a blank wherein theteeth are curved in at least two planes which includes successively presenting said blank to a reciprocating cutting element while continuously rotating said blank and successively varying the position of its axis with relation to the cuttingelement. l

5.`Ti1e method o! generating taperingtoothed elements on a blank wherein vertical sides of the teeth are curved at least on one end which includes presenting a blank on whichthe teethfare to be generated to a cutting element in successively varying axial positions.

6. A method of shaping gears which consists-in providing a cutter having teeth correspon in contour to the teeth too'be cut on a blank, producing a relative reciprocation between the cutter and the blank and inclining the blank axis relative to the cutterv axis in successive increments whereby the cutter willact on different portions o! vthe tooth surface on successive strokes..

7. The methodnof shaping gear teeth which conl `sists in providing a member with a cutting ledge having the same contour as the surface ofthe tooth to be shaped on a blank, imparting a relative reciprocation' between the cutting member and the blank and inclining the surface of the' g tooth to beshaped into the path of movement of said member in successive increments whereby 70 the cutter axis whereby portions of said blank teeth will be removed upon a cutting stoke.

9. The method of shaping gear teeth which consists in providing a cutter with teeth adapted to engage simultaneously allthe teeth on a gear blank, producing a relative reciprocation between 8. The method of shaping gear teeth which conposition of the vblank axis relative to the cutter axis and rotating in successive increments the blank in said angular position simultaneously with the cutter for a complete revolution.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, and repeating the simultaneous rotation in successive lincrements of saidblank and cutter for each increase by successive increments in the angular position of said blank.

11. 'I'he method of shaping external teeth on a gear blank which consists in providing a cutter `with internal teeth adapted to engage simulta neously all the teeth on the gear blank, producing a relative reciprooation between the cutter and blank, changing the. angular position oi' the blank axis relative to the cutter axis and rotating in successive increments the blank in said angular position simultaneously with the cutter for a complete revolution.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11, and repeating the simultaneous rotation in successive increments of said blank and cutter for each increase by successive increments in the angular position of said blank.

13. The method of shaping gear teeth on a Ablank which consists in inclining the blank axis by successive increments relative to the axis of a reciprocating cutter provided with teeth adapted to simultaneously cut the entire peripheral surface of said blank teeth, and for each successive angular increment. simultaneously rotating the blank and cutter a tooth at a time so that for a complete revolution each blank tooth will` have assumed the same angular relation to the cutter. y

14. The method of shaping gear teeth on a blank which consists in providing a cutter having teeth corresponding in contour to the teeth to be cut on a blank, producing a relative reciprocation between the cutten and blank, rotating said blank by successive increments for a complete revolution and for each increment inclining in successive increments the blank axis relative to the cutter axisjand` in the same plane `repeating this inclination in successive increments in the opposite direction with respect to the cutter axis.

15. 'I'he method of shaping gear teeth on a blank which consists in providing a cutter hav-` ing teeth corresponding in contour to the teeth 'to be cut on a blank, producing a relative reciprocation between the cutter and blank, rotatingsaid blank by successive increments for a complete revolution and for each increment inclining the blank axis relative to the cutter axis for `a cutting stroke and in the same plane swinging said blank in the' opposite direction with the same inclination for an additional cutting stroke and repeating said swinging operation in the same plane for successive increments in the inclination oi' said blank.

16. A machine for shaping gear teeth comprising a vcutter bar, means for reciprocating the same, a. cradle, means for rockably supporting' the same, a blank holder rotatably mounted in -said cradle and movable therewith, selective manual and automatic means for inclining said cradle'relative to said cutter bar and means for automatically and simultaneously rotating said cutter bar and said blank holder.

y1'7. In a machine for shapingjgear teeth comprising a base, side and rear `walls 'and an overhanging cylindrical portion, y.a cutter bar rotatably mounted in said cylindrical portion, means supported on said side walls, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle and movable therewith, selective manual and automatic means for inclining said cradle relative to said cutter bar and means for automatically and simultaneously rotating said cutter bar and said blank holder.

18. In a machine for shaping gear teeth comprising a base, side and rear walls and an overhanging cylindrical portion, a sleeve rotatably mounted within said cylindrical portionfa cutter bar within said sleeve reciprocating therein and connected to said sleeve for rotative movement therewith, a cradle rockably supported on\ said side walls, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle and movable therewith, selective manual and automatic means for inclining said cradle relative to said cutter bar and means for automatically and simultaneously rotating said .cutter bar and said blank holder.

19. In a machine for shaping gear teeth comprising a base, side and rear walls and an overhanging cylindrical portion, a sleeve rotatably mounted within said cylindrical portion, a cutter bar within said sleeve reciprocating therein and connected to said sleeve for rotative movement therewith, means supported above said cylindrical portion and connected to said cutter bar for reciprocating the same, a cradle rockably supported on said side walls, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle and movable therewith, means for inclining said cradle relative to said cutter bar and means connected to said flrst mentioned means for automatically and simultaneously rotating said cutter bar and said blank holder.

A 20. In a machine for'shaping gear teeth comprising abase, side and rear walls and an overhanging cylindrical portion, a sleeve rotatably mounted within said cylindrical portion, a cutter bar within said sleeve reciprocating therein and connected to said sleeve for rotative movement therewith, means supported above said cylindrical portion and connected to said cutter bar for reciprocating the same, a cradle rockably supported on said side walls, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle and movable therewith, means for inclining said cradle relative to said cutter bar and means operatively connected to said rst mentioned means and to said sleeve and blank holder for automatically and simultaneously rotating said cutter bar and said blank holder.

21. A machine for shaping gear teeth comprising a reciprocating cutter bar, a blank holder adapted to have a gear blank rigidly secured thereto, means for inclining said blank holder relative to said cutter bar, and means for simul'- taneously rotating said blank holder with said cutter bar, and a single cutter attached to said cutter bar adapted to simultaneously produce a cut on all the gear blank teeth in a single cutting stroke.

22. A machine for shaping gear teeth comprising a reciprocating cutter bar, a blank holder adapted to have a gear blank rigidly secured thereto, a cutter attached to said cutter bar, means for inclining said gear blank teeth in the path of said cutter, and means for simultaneous- .1y rotating said blank` holder with said cutter bar,` said cutter upon a cutting stroke removing simultaneously portions on selected surfaces of each of said gear blank teeth.

23. A shaping machine comprising a cutter bar, means for reciprocating the same, a pivotally supported cradle, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle, means for inclining said cradle about its pivotal axis relative to said cutter bar, a coaxial driving connection between said cutter bar and blank holder for simultaneously rotating the same, said cutter bar, cradle and blank holder being so arranged with respect to each other as to have the respective axes thereof intersect at a common point irrespective oi their angular relationship.

24. A shaping machine comprising a cutter bar, means for reciprocating the same, a pivotally supported cradle, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle and movable therewith. means for inclinlng said cradle relative to said cutter bar anddriving means individual to said cutter bar and blank holder for automatically and simultaneously rotating the same, the driving means for said blank holder being in direct positive engagementtherewith for all angular positions of the same.

25. In a machine for shaping gear teeth, an angularly movable blank holder, a ring gear nxedly secured to said blank holder, a power driven pinion meshing with said ring gear, said ring gear .being provided with external teeth having convexly curved crowns and roots and said pinion teeth being provided with complemental concavely curved crowns and roots whereby line contact between said cooperating teeth is established for all 'angular positions oi said blank holder.

26. In an apparatus, an angularly moving blank holder, a ring gear xedly secured to said blank holder, a power driven pinion meshing with said ring gear, said ring gear being provided with external teeth convexly curved and said pinion being provided with complemental concavely curved teeth whereby line contact between said cooperating teeth is established for all angular positions of said blank holder.

27. An apparatus for simultaneously generating a plurality of different surfaces on a blank having, in combination, means for supporting and rotating said blankymeans forsupporting and rotating a reciprocating tool for operation on the blank, means for automatically inclining said blank in the path of movement of said tool in successive increments and means for simultaneously rotating said blank and tool for a complete revolution for each increment of inclination of said blank.

28. An apparatus for generating gear teeth including a cutter, a holder for a gear blank, means for angularly moving said blank holder in successive increments, means for giving relative movement to said cutter and said blank holder and for providing relative cutting motions therebetween while maintaining the point of intersection of the axes of the said cutter and said blank holder constant for all angular positions of said blank holder.

29. A shaping machine comprising a cutter bar, means for reciprocating the same, a blank holder arranged in the path of movement of said cutter bar, means for inclining said blank holder relative to said cutter bar, driving means individual to said cutter bar and blank holder for simultaneously rotating the same, the driving means for said blank holder being in direct positive engagement therewith for all angular positions loi the same, and means automatically varying the angular position of the said blank holder for each revolution of the same.

30. In a machine for shaping gear teeth comprising ay base, side and rear walls and an over-f hanging cylindrical portion, 'a sleeve rotatably mounted within said cylindrical portion, a cutter bar within said sleeve and connected to said sleeve for rotative movement therewith, a crank shaft supported above said cylindrical portion and connected to said cutter bar for reciprocating the same, a cradle rockably supported on said side walls, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle and movable therewith, manually and automatically operated means on Ione of said side walls operatively connected to said cradle for inclining the same relative to said cutter bar and a direct driving connection operatively connected to said crank shaft and to said sleeve and blank holder for automatically and simultaneously rotating said cutter bar and said blank holder.

3l. In a machine for shaping gear teeth comprising a base, side and rear walls and an overhanging cylindrical portion, a sleeve mounted in said cylindrical portion, a cutter bar reciprocating therein and connected to said sleeve for rotative movement therewith, a power driven crank shaft supported above. said cylindrical portion, a connecting rod on said crank and connected to said cutter bar for reciprocating the same, a cradle rockably supported on said side walls, a blank holder rotatably mounted in said cradle and movable therewith, means for inclining said cradle and means for simultaneously rotating said cutter bar and said blank holder.

32. The structure as specified in claim 31, and

locking means on said base adapted to engagesaid cradle for. locking the same in its normal horizontal inoperative position.

33. The structure as specified in claim 31, said connecting rod being formed in two sections pivotally connected together, said pivotal connection being offset with respect to the axis of said cutter bar and spring means on said connecting rod for maintaining the sections in alignment.

34. The structure as specified in claim 31, said cradle inclining meanscomprising a vertical shaft rotatably supported on one of said side walls ad'- jacent saidcradle, a worm on said shaft, a sector worm wheel rigid with said cradle and meshing t with said worm, a manually. operated lever attached to said shaft for rotating the same and cam actuated pawl and ratchet means associated with said cradle and shaft for automatically rotating said shaft by successive increments upon' a complete revolution of said cradle.

35. The structure as specified in claim 31;. said vlastmentioned means comprising spaced bearing brackets, a horizontal drive shaft rotatably mounted on the upper bearing bracket, avertical shaft rotatably supported by said brackets, a worm drive between said drive shaft andsaid vertical shaft, a pinion on said vertical t. meshing with teeth on said sleeve, a ring g'e' V,on

said blank holder, a pinion on the lower `endof said vertical shaft meshing with said ring gear;

and a cam operated mechanism associated withl said crankshaft and said drive shaft for autoiinati'c'ally rotating said drive shaft and vertical shaft by .successive increments for revo1u` tion of said crankshaft.y 36. 'Ihe structure' as specified in claim 31, said last mentioned means comprising spaced bearing saidcrankshaft and said drivel shaft for auto-l matically rotating said drive vshaft and vertical shaft by successive increments for each revolution of said crankshaft, said spaced bearing brackets being movably supported on spaced guide means jrigidvrespectively with said overhanging portion and said rear wall and resilient means on said guide means and acting on said bearing brackets for maintaining the pinions on said vertical shaft in intimate engagement with the cooperating teeth on said sleeveand blank holder whereby back-lash is reduced to a minimum 37. 'I'he structure as specified in claim 3l, said y last mentioned means comprising spaced bearing brackets, a horizontal drive shaft rotatably mounted on the upper bearing bracket, a vertical shaft rotatably supported by said brackets, .a vworm drive between said drive shaft and said vertical shaft,'a pinion on said vertical shaftA meshing with teeth on said sleeve, a ring gear on said blank holder, a pinion on the lower end of said vertical shaft meshing with said ring gear, and a cam.operated said crankshaft and saidv drive shaft for automatically rotating said driveshaft and vertical shaft by successive in :rementsfor each revolution of said crankshafasaid ring gear being provided withv external teeth having convexly- 'curved crowns and the`rootsbetween the teeth beingV similarly curved whereby there will be the same, driving connection atall times between said lowery pinion'and ring relation of the the axis of said vertical shaft.

38. 'I'he structure as specied in claim 31, said last mentioned means comprising spaced bearing gear irrespective of the angular brackets, a horizontal drive shaft rotatably mounted on the upperbearing bracket, a vertical shaft rotatably supported by lsaid brackets, a worm drive between said drive shaft and said vertical shaft, a meshing with teeth on said sleeve, a ring gear on said blank holder, a. pinion on the lower end of said vertical shaft meshing with said ring gear, and a cam operated mechanism associated with said crankshaft and said drive shaftfor autopinion on said'vertical shaft.

mechanism associated with xls of said ring gear relative to f matically rotating said drive shaft and vvertical lshaft by successive increments for each revolution of said crankshaft, said ring gear being l.pro-

vided wth external teeth having convexly curved crowns and the rootsbetween the teeth being similarly curved, the cooperating teeth on the lower-pinion being formed with concave curved crowns the roots between said teethl being similarly curved whereby there will be the same driving connection at all times between said lower pinion and ring gear irrespective of the angular relation of the axis `of 4said ring gear relative to the'axls of said vertical shaft.

, JULIAN s, Lonwus. 

